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It was the scariest moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but like other locals interviewed, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous against the joyful environment as crowds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city historically governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several places the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to establish their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.